San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex

WILDFIRE DANGER! Fire staff and collateral firefighters from the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex are maintaining seven day a week staffed fire engine coverage for the refuge areas during the fire season. Stay safe! USFWS Photo.

Whether you call them crawfish, crayfish, or crawdads they are freshwater crustaceans that look like little lobsters (to which they are closely related). There are more than 500 species worldwide and more than half of those are found in North America. It is believed that only one native species remains in California the Shasta crayfish, found only in Shasta County. The others are all exotic and considered to be invasive pests. Regardless, crayfish are an important food source for many wildlife species of mammals and birds on the San Luis NWR Complex, such as this great blue heron. Photo courtesy of Rick Lewis.

We are seeing fawns on a daily basis across the refuge as they emerge from hiding during their first few weeks of life and begin to explore their habitat. Many does have twins and all the deer observed appear very healthy. Many of the deer are showing their summer coats, which can vary from a light blonde color to a vibrant strawberry red. USFWS Photo.

Summer is the time of dragonflies and the blue-eyed darner (Rhionaeschna multicolor) is abundant throughout western North America. The males are easy to identify with their striking blue and black coloring and large blue eyes that are the same color as the blue on their abdomen. Females do not have blue eyes and the male’s blue areas are yellowish-green on the females. Dragonflies require warm slow-moving water to complete their lifecyle. Females place their fertilized eggs i...n the water where, once hatched, the young called naiads live and grow for several years feeding on small aquatic insects, tadpoles, even tiny fish. Refuge wetlands provide the perfect habitat for them. After a few years, the naiads crawl out of the water, usually at night, shed their skin molting into a winged adult dragonfly and fly away. Photos courtesy of Rick Lewis. See more

Summer at the refuge complex is when wetlands grow moist soil plants, such as swamp timothy and smartweed, that provide important food for migratory waterbirds that arrive in the fall. Wetlands are managed for diversity to provide foraging opportunities for a variety of wildlife. Habitat management activities involve using heavy equipment to disk wetland units to promote the growth of beneficial plants and to reduce undesirable ones. USFWS Photo.

Summer is a great time to enjoy fishing on the San Luis NWR or to view deer, elk, wading birds, and many other year-round residents of refuge. Mosquitos tend to be very active during summer months. Although mosquitos can make life unpleasant human visitors, they provide an important link in the food chain. They are most active at dawn and dusk, so bring bug spray and be prepared! This spectacular photo courtesy of Don Cool highlights many of the interesting adaptations of the snowy egret, from its breeding plumage, vivid yellow feet, and eye placement for hunting in water.

In California, we usually think of ducks as being migratory species that are only with us in the San Joaquin Valley during the winter. However, a significant population of breeding ducks resides in California year-round. Population surveys show that mallards, gadwall, and cinnamon teal are the three most abundant duck species that remain in California and successfully breed, nest, and raise their young. To be successful, breeding ducks require two important habitat components.... Some species, like mallards, require uplands with perennial grasses (like creeping wild rye) in which to build their nests and set their eggs while safely concealed from predators. There must also be nearby wetlands with abundant food to rear the ducklings. This female duck with her young brood was captured on the critter cam at the San Joaquin River NWR. USFWS photo. See more

Birds are Master architects, setting the standard for design, engineering, and construction of homes in the animal world -- especially considering their primary tool is their bill. This photo of a red-winged blackbird nest found on the San Luis NWR shows off their skill. The female red-wing places her nest just above the water's surface among a group of close-growing vertical emergent marsh plants like cattails or bulrush. She winds stringy plant material around the upright s...tems to support the nest and then weaves a platform of coarse wet vegetation, like the strong strap-shaped leaves of cattails. Over that structure she will add some more wet leaves, maybe a little decayed wood or willow bark; then she plasters the inside with mud to form a cup-shaped nest. The cup is then lined with fine grasses forming a soft receptacle for her eggs. USFWS photo. See more

WILDFIRE DANGER! The wildfire season has arrived in the Central Valley and will likely continue through autumn. The high temperatures and low humidity this week will increase the chance of fire starts and rapid fire spread. Take precautions to avoid starting a fire. The image shows FWS firefighters performing mop-up on a wildfire this week at the San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge. Stay safe! USFWS Photo.

While the great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a wading bird usually seen in the wetlands where they can strike lightening-fast to grab a fish or crawdad from the water; one may also spot them in the grassland uplands, like this bird photographed in the grasslands of the San Luis NWR. In the grasslands their strong dagger-like bills are just as effective at catching small reptiles or small mammals for a meal. Photo courtesy of Lisa Wegener.

Alkali heliotrope (Heliotropium curassavicum) is a common summertime plant of the San Luis NWR Complex. Native to California and much of the Americas, it's a perennial herb that thrives in sandy alkaline soils. Its grayish-green, slightly succulent leaves help it withstand the intense summer sun and drought conditions of the San Joaquin Valley. The inflorescences start out rolled up like a fiddle neck, then unfurl with two rows of tiny white flowers blooming from the bottom t...o the tip. Each flower is bell-shaped with either a yellow or purplish throat. If an individual plant has more purple-throated flowers than yellow ones, it takes on a bluish-lavendar hue. Alkali heliotrope is an important plant for pollinators like the small hairsteak butterfly seen here. This plant was photographed along the Sousa Marsh Nature Trail on the San Luis NWR. USFWS photo. See more

Keep your eyes peeled while walking nature trails or driving through riparian areas of the San Joaquin River or San Luis NWRs and you will catch sight of black-tailed deer, like these two bucks peering out from the dappled shade. The best times to see deer are in the morning or late afternoon/early evening. The deer spend their days resting and hiding in the dense vegetation of the riparian woodlands. Photo courtesy of Doug Ridgway.

Another little streaky brown bird one is sure to see while visiting the San Luis NWR Complex is the song sparrow (Melospiza melodia). Listed as a species of open woodlands, they can be seen throughout habitats of the refuge complex -- woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands. Recognize them by their grayish face with russet stripes and bold brown steaks on their white breast. The streaks converge into a central spot. Males will commonly be seen perched high in a shrub or on some tules, like this bird, with their head thrown back and mouth wide open singing their heart out. After singing, they'll drop down to forage for insects on the ground. This song sparrow was photographed at the San Luis NWR courtesy of Richard Brown.

Join Our Team Are you a full or half time college student interested in a career with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service? The San Luis NWR Complex is looking to fill up to two temporary Pathways student intern positions (Student Trainee - Biological Sciences). These are part-time positions in which duties include assisting with a wide variety of biological, visitor services, administrative, and maintenance projects at the Refuge Complex. Apply soon--the application deadline... is Jan 8, 2021. For more information about eligibility requirements and to apply, visit USAJOBS (http://ow.ly/PvWT50D0Yb3). Select Los Banos, CA to apply for the position at the San Luis NWR Complex. These positions are typically one-year appointments, with the potential to extend as long as the candidate continues to meet student eligibility requirements. Photo courtesy of Brad R. Lewis. See more

These wonderful, close-up photos taken from the Beckwith Road observation platform at the San Joaquin River NWR provide a good tutorial for identifying the various species of geese visitors are likely to see on the refuges of the San Luis NWR Complex. Snow geese, Ross' geese, and greater white-fronted geese can be seen at all three refuges of the complex. The Aleutian cackling goose is most-likely to be seen at the San Joaquin River NWR. Click on the photos to learn more about how to identify these species. Photos courtesy of Richard Brown.

North America's smallest falcon, the American kestrel (Falco sparverius) relies on insects for a large part of its diet. This kestrel at the Merced NWR was spotted recently, settling on a post with a dragonfly it had just caught. We know this is a male kestrel thanks to its slate-blue wings. The wings of female kestrels are a rusty hue overall. Photos courtesy of Tom Olejniczak.

Sights and Sounds at the San Joaquin River NWR! Turn on the sound -- now through early March is the best time of year to experience the sights and sounds of millions of migratory waterfowl and other migratory birds that spend the winter at the San Joaquin River NWR and other refuges of the San Luis NWR Complex. Plan a visit and drive one of the auto tour routes, walk a nature trail, or view the sights from one of many elevated observation platforms throughout the complex. For more information, check out the refuge brochures containing maps of auto routes and nature trails on the individual refuge websites: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/san_luis ; http://www.fws.gov/refuge/merced ; and http://www.fws.gov/refuge/san_joaquin_river. USFWS video.

This time of year is prime time to experience the sights and sounds of millions of waterfowl and other migratory birds wintering throughout the San Luis NWR Complex. Explore the websites at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/san_luis ; http://www.fws.gov/refuge/merced ; and http://www.fws.gov/refuge/san_joaquin_river for information, and maps showing the auto tour routes and nature trails available to help visitors get outside and connect with nature. Happy Holidays from all of us at the San Luis NWR Complex. Photo of geese taking flight courtesy of Rick Lewis.

The waterfowl hunting season for most of California opened last Saturday. The hunt units of the San Luis and Merced Refuges offer a diversity of opportunities, ranging from free roam, assigned blind, exclusive zone, and boat-in formats. Good luck to all sportsmen and sportswomen this season! Information about our hunt program can be found on our website (www.fws.gov/refuge/san_luis). Photo of cinnamon teal drake courtesy of Rick Lewis.

There may still be time to see some of these colorful warbler species as they pass through the riparian habitats of the San Luis NWR Complex on their way to wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. While not photographed on the wildlife refuge, these beauties were all observed during the past month or so during autumn songbird migration here in the San Joaquin Valley. The Townsend's warbler (Setophaga townsendi) can be recognized by its bold yellow & black face markin...gs. The Wilson's warbler (Cardellina pusilla) sports a black cap; and the yellow warbler (Setophaga petechia) is generally a bright yellow overall with reddish streaks, however, this may be a drab brownish 1st-year bird. The best places on the wildlife refuges to look for these colorful warblers are the Pelican Nature Trail (San Joaquin River NWR), the Sousa Marsh Trail (San Luis NWR), and the Meadowlark Trail (Merced NWR). While the precise timing and duration of migration varies from year to year, there may still be time. So, pick a nature trail, go for a walk, and see if you can spot any of these colorful little visitors. Photos by Richard Brown. See more

Quail bush (Atriplex lentiformis), sometimes known as big saltbush, is widespread throughout the San Luis NWR Complex. It is a spreading evergreen shrub that can reach 3 meters tall by more than 3 meters wide. It has grayish-green leaves and is highly-branched creating a dense tangled structure that provides shelter and cover for many species of wildlife. Quail bush produces copious amounts of seeds that ripen in the winter, providing an abundant supply of protein-rich rood f...or many species of seed-eating birds and small mammals. This shrub is a great example of a "dioecious" plant species, one that has male and female flowers on separate plants. Dioecious translates from Greek as "two houses." However, individual quail bush can sometimes be "monoecious" (one house) with one shrub having both male and female flowers. Dioecious quail bush in flower can look like two different species. These photos show the male plant cloaked in golden-looking flowers covered in pollen; and the female plant with panicles of flat round greenish (unripened) seeds. By the end of the year, the seeds will ripen, turn brown, and provide a feast for wildlife. Quail bush is known to be the host plant for two species of butterflies (Saltbush Sootywing & Pygmy Blue) and is the likely host plant for up to 14 other species of butterflies and moths. USFWS photos. See more

A question was asked recently as to whether American kestrels could be seen on the San Luis NWR. This great photo was taken about a week ago on the wildlife refuge. It shows, nicely, where one might find a kestrel -- perched on a conspicuous snag where it may land to consume the meal it has just acquired. Look closely and you will see that this bird has a lizard in its talons. Photo courtesy of Rick Lewis.

Burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) are present on all 3 refuges of the San Luis NWR Complex, but their relative abundance or, how frequently one might see the species in its favored habitat, is considered "occasional; seen only a few times during a season." This is partly because the burrowing owls of the San Luis Complex tend to favor the more remote secluded areas of the refuges during breeding and nesting season when they have young to protect and raise. When breeding sea...son is over and their young have fledged and set out on their own, burrowing owls often disperse across wider areas, making it more likely visitors may see them. Burrowing owls were seen again this week at the Merced NWR. This owl and two others were observed, actively foraging and flying low across the uplands. Keep your eyes peeled for these entertaining little owls. It helps that burrowing owls, unlike most owls, are much more active and likely to be seen during daylight hours. Plan a visit to the wildife refuge and see if you can spot the burrowing owls. USFWS photo. See more

Crane update! Staff of the San Luis NWR Complex conducted October's sandhill crane count this week and found nearly 16,000 cranes have arrived througout the refuge complex. That's more than double the number of cranes here just one month ago. More than 70% of sandhills are at the Merced NWR where visitors will find a 5-mile auto tour route and two observation decks from which to observe cranes and other wildlife. The best times of day to view the cranes are in the morning nea...r sunrise, as they're flying off the roost and in the evening near sunset, when they're returning to the roost. Sandhill cranes spend most of their day foraging throughout the surrounding uplands, so visitors are not as likely to see them on the refuge in the middle of the day. Where is the best place to see sandhill cranes on the refuge? They can be seen and heard from almost anywhere along the auto tour route -- during the right times of day. The observation deck at the southeast corner of the auto tour route is an especially popular spot for observing the cranes. Photo courtesy of Tom Olejniczak. See more

Hispids bird's-beak (Chloropyron molle ssp. hispidum) is a rare plant that is endemic to California (meaning it can only be found here) and is considered critically-imperiled. Once found throughout the San Joaquin Valley, this species is now known to exist in a small number of locations, one of which is on the San Luis NWR. Hispids bird's-beak is an annual plant. At just a few inches tall, it doesn't look like much, but it's a survivor in the harsh environment of the San Joaq...uin Valley. It is known as a hemiparasitic species, meaning it can produce its own food, but also obtains water and nutrients from the roots of other plants (hosts), such as salt grass (Distichlis spicata). The plant is covered with glandular hairs that excrete salt crystals. This makes the plant appear grayish-green in color. The flowers can be seen in these photos -- the upper lip of the flower is hooked like a bird's beak, hence the name. The species can be found growing in seasnonally-flooded areas, in alkaline soils, along the edges of wetlands and drainages. The species hemiparasitism, a deep root system, and its ability to secrete salt allows it to keep growing during the hottest, driest parts of the San Joaquin Valley summer -- long after other annual species have died. In fact, bird's-beak may keep blooming into October, making it an important pollen/nectar source for pollinating insects -- primarily bumblebees. These flowering plants were photographed only about one week ago. USFWS photos. See more

Artistry in nature -- this river otter photographed last week at Salt Slough on the San Luis NWR looks like it's swimming in a pool of molten gold. Find some time to experience nature's artwork by visiting one of your local national wildlife refuges this coming weekend. The San Luis, Merced, and San Joaquin River NWRs are open to visitors from one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. The refuges offer auto tour routes and nature trails to help you connect with nature. Photo courtesy of Rick Lewis.

RABBIT RELEASE. The San Luis NWR Complex continues to capture and vaccinate (for protection against the virus - RHDV2 - a serious threat to rabbit species) the endangered brush rabbits at the San Joaquin River NWR. This brush rabbit just received a vaccine and is being released. USFWS video.

The number of sandhill cranes throughout the San Luis NWR Complex grows as more and more cranes arrive every day. Their numbers should peak by early December and they will be with us through the end of February. Most of the cranes can be seen at the Merced NWR, but they are not usually visible in the middle of the day. The cranes roost in the wetlands on the wildlife refuge overnight, but by mid-morning, they leave the refuge to forage throughout surrounding uplands. Normally, the cranes return around sundown to roost for the night. Therefore, for the best chance to see the cranes, visit the refuge before 8 or 9 in the morning, or near sundown in the evening. Happy crane watching! Photo courtesy of Rick Lewis.

This dance move called the jump-rake is sometimes performed by a male/female pair, but it can also be performed in a threat and attack situation when one bird’s feet can strike an opponent. Photo courtesy of Tom Olejniczak.

These photos show the curtsey and jump. The curtsey is one of the first dance moves learned by the colts. In adult pairs, the female often performs the curtsey in response to the male’s jump. Photos courtesy of Rick Lewis.

Juvenile sandhill cranes observe adults’ displays and begin learning their own dance moves as early as 3 months of age. Juveniles or colts will often pair off with a parent and enthusiastically dance and display with them. It is believed this family dancing promotes socialization of the young bird with its flock, and provides muscle conditioning and pre-flight training. As the colts run and dance, jump and flap their wings, eventually they learn to catch air in their wings and learn to glide. The next step is take-off and short flights around the nesting area with their parents, preparing the young birds for their first migration. By the time we see the cranes here on their wintering grounds, the dancing performed by the young cranes may be preparing them for courting a future mate. Photos courtesy of Tom Olejniczak.